Cherwell stainless steel ball fountain

[2Margaret]

is garden I received this garden water feature as a present. The instructions recommend distilled water but does anyone know how essential this is and what would be the problem using ordinary tap water. Thanks. 2Margaret

[Buenchico]

If you live in a hard water area, and you've got a stainless steel sink top, you should be familiar with the problems of trying to keep it free from limescale. I would guess that it's the possible build up of limescale on the stainless steel ball that would be the most likely problem. (It would cease to be shiny and thus far less attractive). Limescale might also build up in the piping, slowing the flow of water to a dribble.

Wilkinsons sell distilled water. (A web page I found quoted 49p per litre in 2007).

Chris

[2Margaret]

iThanks Chris - actually we are in a soft water area but someone had suggested the distilled water was to do with preventing green algae forming. However if as you say it's about limescale that's ok. Many thanks. 2Margaret